Shoe cover removal apparatus

ABSTRACT

A shoe cover removal vacuuming system for removing a shoe cover from a user&#39;s shoe. The system includes a shoe cover removal apparatus and a central vacuuming system. The shoe cover removal apparatus includes a trough for receiving a user&#39;s shoe, the trough including a removal portal. The central vacuuming system includes a central vacuum unit having a suction motor, a collection container disposed in a room remote from the at least one shoe cover removal apparatus for collecting shoe covers removed by the shoe cover removal apparatus, and tubing for connecting the removal portal of the shoe cover removal apparatus to the central vacuum unit and the collection container.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to provisionalapplication No. 61/368,041 filed Jul. 27, 2010, and is acontinuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/852,070, filed Aug. 6, 2010, and a continuation-in-part of co-pendingU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/412,095, filed Mar. 26, 2009, all ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

This invention relates to the field of automated shoe covering devices.More particularly, this invention relates to an accessory for anautomatic shoe cover removal apparatus.

BACKGROUND

The outer surfaces of shoes collect many undesirable substances such asdirt and mud while worn by a person on any given day. Many industriessuch as construction, farming, and manufacturing involve workenvironments in which the collection of undesirable materials on shoesis particularly substantial. The collection of such substances on shoesand the subsequent transfer of such substances to the interior of homes,buildings, or other structures by foot traffic is undesirable and mayraise concerns regarding the cleanliness of the interior of suchstructures. Shoes may be removed before entering a home, building, orother similar structure to avoid such problems. However, in environmentswhere such a practice of removing shoes from feet before entering suchstructures is not common or otherwise impractical, shoe coverings areoften used.

Disposable shoe covers are commonly employed to avoid the need forpersons to remove their shoes before entering homes, buildings, or otherstructures. However, placing shoe covers on shoes (particularly, uncleanshoes) is inconvenient and may require a person to use hands to place ashoe cover over a shoe, thereby exposing the user's hands to thesubstances on the shoe. In addition to adding shoe covers to the feet orshoes of a user, the shoe covers that are put on must be removed.Therefore, there is a need for a mechanically reliable and simplifiedautomatic shoe cover removal apparatus that is capable of automaticremoval of a shoe cover from a user's shoe.

There is also a need to perform the automatic removal of shoe covers ina manner that leaves little or no dirt, dust, germs, bacteria, fungus,viruses, toxins, drugs, small particulate matter, and/or othercontaminants near or around the shoe cover removal apparatus. Forexample, certain activities in certain industries require what are oftenreferred to as “clean rooms.” Often, shoe covers are used in a cleanroom and then must be removed in the clean room because much of the workdone in clean rooms includes the handling of material (both non-livingand living) that is desirably kept isolated and contained in such rooms.Accordingly, in some applications of an automatic shoe cover remover, itis desirable to collect and store the removed shoe covers containing thecontaminants in an area remote from the shoe cover removal apparatus.

Many different rooms in a building (or floor of a building), such as ahospital, will often preferably contain multiple shoe cover removalapparatuses in various rooms and/or sections of the building. Inaddition to collecting the removed shoe covers in an area remote fromthe shoe cover removal apparatus, it would also be beneficial to collectthe shoe covers from a plurality of shoe cover removal apparatuses in acentral location.

What is needed, therefore, is an apparatus capable of efficientlyremoving a shoe cover from the appendage of a wearer. Additionally, itis desirable that such a device is able to be connected a central systemfor collecting the removed shoe covers from a plurality of shoe coverremoval apparatuses and storing/disposing of the removed shoe covers inan area remote from the shoe cover removal apparatuses.

SUMMARY

The above and other needs are met by an apparatus which includes a shoecover removal vacuuming system for removing a shoe cover from a user'sshoe. The system includes a shoe cover removal apparatus and a centralvacuuming system. The shoe cover removal apparatus includes a trough forreceiving a user's shoe, the trough including a removal portal. Thecentral vacuuming system includes a central vacuum unit having a suctionmotor, a collection container disposed in a room remote from the shoecover removal apparatus for collecting shoe covers removed by the shoecover removal apparatus, and tubing for connecting the removal portal ofthe shoe cover removal apparatus to the central vacuum unit and thecollection container.

According to another embodiment, the shoe cover removal vacuuming systemincludes a plurality of shoe cover removal apparatuses and a centralvacuuming system. The shoe cover removal apparatuses each include atrough for receiving a user's shoe, each trough including a removalportal. The central vacuuming system includes a central vacuum unithaving a suction motor, a collection container disposed in a room remotefrom the plurality of shoe cover removal apparatus for collecting shoecovers removed by the plurality of shoe cover removal apparatuses, andtubing for connecting the removal portals of the plurality of shoe coverremoval apparatuses to the central vacuum unit and the collectioncontainer.

According to some embodiments, the shoe cover removal apparatuses eachinclude an actuator for triggering a signal causing the central vacuumunit to activate, the activation of the vacuum unit being capable ofcausing a shoe cover to be removed from the shoe of a user when a userplaces a shoe covered by a shoe cover into one of the troughs. The shoecover removal apparatuses may also include a transmitter for wirelesslysending the signal to the central vacuum unit.

In other embodiments, the central vacuum unit includes a vacuum unitsuction portal operably connected to the suction motor and thecollection container includes a first suction portal and a secondsuction portal, the tubing including a first hose for connecting thevacuum unit suction portal to the first suction portal of the collectioncontainer, a second hose for connecting the second suction portal of thecollection container to a wall inlet portal, and in wall tubingconnecting the plurality of shoe cover removal apparatuses to the wallinlet portal. The collection container may include a first sectionhaving the first suction portal and a second section having the secondsuction portal, the division between the first section and secondsection being porous so that air is able to flow through the containerwhile removed shoe covers are prevented from being sucked into the firstsection.

According to some embodiments, the plurality of shoe cover removalapparatuses are operable to be disposed in a plurality of rooms of abuilding and the central vacuum unit is operable to be disposed in acentral location of the building. The collection container may beoperable to be disposed adjacent the central vacuum unit. In otherembodiments, the collection container and central vacuum unit are asingle unit.

In another embodiment, an apparatus for removing a shoe cover from auser's shoe includes a trough for receiving a user's shoe. The troughincludes a removal portal. The apparatus includes flexible hose having afirst end for connecting to a wall inlet portal of a central vacuumingsystem and a second end for connecting to the removal portal. Anactuator is triggered by the placement of an object in the trough, thetriggering of the actuator causing the central vacuuming system toactivate. The vacuum activation causes the shoe cover to be suckedthrough the removal portal and the hose into the wall inlet portal ofthe central vacuuming system.

According to some embodiments, the actuator further includes a motiondetection system including a motion detecting sensor, wherein powerdelivered to the apparatus from the central vacuuming system iscontrolled by the motion detection system. The motion detection systemmay include a transmitter for sending a wireless signal to the centralvacuuming system causing the central vacuuming system to activate. Amanual override may be provided switch for cutting power to theapparatus.

In some embodiments, a secondary collection container may be connectedto in-wall tubing of the central vacuuming system, the collectioncontainer for collecting removed shoe covers and preventing removed shoecovers from being deposited in a main collection container of thecentral vacuuming system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention willbecome better understood by reference to the following detaileddescription, appended claims, and accompanying figures, wherein elementsare not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein likereference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views,and wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts an overhead schematic view of a shoe cover vacuumingsystem installed in a building according to an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 2 depicts a front perspective view of a shoe cover removalapparatus according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 depicts an overhead view of the interior of the frame of the shoecover removal apparatus shown in FIG. 2 according to an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 4 depicts an overhead view of a shoe cover removal apparatusaccording to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of a central vacuum unit andcollection container according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 depicts an overhead view of the interior of a collectioncontainer according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 depicts an overhead schematic view of a shoe cover vacuumingsystem installed in a building according to an embodiment of theinvention; and

FIG. 8 depicts an overhead schematic view of a portion of a centralvacuuming system having a secondary collection container according to anembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a shoecover removal vacuuming system 10 installed in a building. The vacuumingsystem 10 includes a container 11 for collecting removed shoe covers, acentral vacuum unit 12, in-wall tubing 14, multiple wall inlet portals16, and a plurality of shoe cover removal apparatuses 20 each disposedin a particular room. The central vacuum unit 12 is located at a centrallocation in the building and includes a suction motor. The collectioncontainer 11 is preferably disposed adjacent the central vacuum unit 12at the central location. Flexible hose 13 connects the central vacuumunit 12 to the collection container 11, and flexible hose 15 connectsthe collection container 11 to the in-wall tubing 14. The wall inletportals 16 are then provided at one or more areas throughout thebuilding, and the in-wall tubing 14 connects each of the wall inletportals 16 to the collection container 11 and central vacuum unit 12.

FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of an apparatus 20 for removing a shoe coverfrom the shoe of a user. The apparatus preferably includes a trough 22,a frame 24 for supporting various internal parts of the apparatus 20, aflexible hose 26, and an actuator 28. A removal portal 30 is disposed inthe base 23 of the trough 22 so that a shoe cover may be removed frombelow a user's foot. However, the removal portal 30 could also belocated at other positions along the trough 22. As shown in FIGS. 2-3,disposed within the frame 24 is tubing 34 for connecting the removalportal 30 to a frame exit portal 34. The flexible hose 26 includes afirst end 36 connected to the frame exit portal 34 and in flowcommunication with tubing 34 and a second end 38 for connecting to awall inlet portal 16 of the shoe cover vacuuming system 10. Theconnections between the first end of hose 26 and the frame exit portal34 and between the second end 38 and the wall inlet portal 16 arepreferably substantially hermetically sealed when the central vacuumingsystem 10 is activated to suck shoe covers off of the shoe of a user andto prevent debris and contaminants from escaping the apparatus 20.

In alternate embodiments, tubing 34 of apparatus 20 may be connecteddirectly to the in-wall tubing 14 of the central system 10 without theuse of flexible hose 26. In this embodiment, the apparatus 20 is morepermanently connected to the system 10. Further, apparatus 20 mayinclude a “booster” motor within its frame 24 for providing additionalsuction to the removal portal 30 and assisting in removing shoe coversfrom a user's shoe.

Referring to FIG. 4, another embodiment of an apparatus 20 for removinga shoe cover from the shoe of a user is shown. Similar to the embodimentdescribed above, the apparatus includes a trough 22 having a removalportal 30, a flexible hose 26, and an actuator 28. A first end 36 of theflexible hose 26 is connected to the removal portal 30 of the trough 22.The trough 22 is connectable to the central shoe cover vacuuming system10 by connecting a second end 38 of the flexible hose 26 to a wall inletportal 16. This connection is preferably substantially hermeticallysealed when the central vacuuming system 10 is activated to suck shoecovers off of the shoe of a user and to prevent debris and contaminantsfrom escaping the apparatus.

Referring to FIGS. 5-6, the central vacuum unit 12 includes a suctionmotor (not shown) and a vacuum unit suction portal 40 operably connectedto the motor. Collection container 11 includes a first suction portal 42and a second suction portal 44. Flexible hose 13 has a first end 41 forattaching to the vacuum unit suction portal 40 and a second end 43 forattaching to the first suction portal 42 of the collection container 11.Flexible hose 15 has a first end 45 for attaching to the second suctionportal 44 of the collection container 11 and a second end 47 forconnecting the collection container 11 to the in-wall tubing 14.

The first suction portal 42 is preferably disposed adjacent the bottom48 of the container 11. As shown in FIG. 6, the interior of thecollection container 11 includes porous screen 50 and filter 52 disposedabove the first suction portal 42 for separating the collectioncontainer into top and bottom sections. The second suction portal 44 isdisposed in the container 11 above the screen 50 and filter 52. Duringoperation of the vacuum system 10, as explained further below, removedshoe covers travel through the second suction portal 44 and into thecontainer 11. The screen 50 and filter 52 prevent the removed shoecovers and limit dirt and dust particles collected from the removedshoes covers from being sucked through the first suction portal 42. Alid 54 is provided for accessing the interior of the collectioncontainer 11 for removing collected shoe covers. The second suctionportal 44 is preferably disposed on top of lid 54. The connectionbetween the lid 54 and the remainder of the collection container 11 ispreferably substantially hermetically sealed when the lid 54 is in aclosed position.

In alternate embodiments, the container 11 may include a bag or carrierfor collecting the removed shoe covers when they enter container 11. Thecarrier would preferably be porous, allowing for air to flow through thecontainer 11 but prohibiting shoe covers from escaping the carrier. Thecarrier may be removed from the container 11 when the lid 54 is in anopen position, thereby facilitating the removal of shoe covers from thesystem 10. The carrier may also be replaceable so that new cleancarriers may be inserted into the container 11, and the removed shoecovers may be easily disposed of along with the replaceable carrier.

The arrangement between the container 11 and vacuum unit may vary. Forexample, according to another embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the vacuumunit 12 may be connected to the in-wall tubing 14 and the container 11may be disposed outside of the building. In this embodiment, thecontainer 11 is may be an ordinary trash receptacle, such as a dumpster,and the vacuum unit may be provided with a second motor for blowing theremoved shoe covers out flexible hose 13 or may operate to deliver theshoe covers to the receptacle using a venturi mechanism. In someembodiments, the vacuum the container 11 and vacuum unit 12 may includedtogether into one unit. For example, the vacuum unit could be integralwith the 54 lid of the container 11.

In some embodiments, the central vacuum unit 12 is automatically poweredwhen the flexible hose 26 of a shoe cover removal apparatus 20 isconnected to a wall inlet portal 16. However, in preferred embodiments,the central vacuum unit 12 is in rest mode until the actuator 28 detectswhen a user places an object in the trough 22. The actuator 28 may takevarious forms. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the actuator may be auser operated push button. Referring to FIG. 3, the actuator 28 includesat least one detection sensor for detecting when a user places an objectin the trough 22, preferably using infrared light detection. Inalternate embodiments, the detection sensor could be a pressure sensoror other suitable sensors. Thus, when a user wearing a shoe with a shoecover places the shoe into the trough 22, the sensor sends a signal tothe central vacuum unit 12 causing the suction motor in the centralvacuum unit 12 to activate. Preferably, the actuator 28 and/or sensorsinclude a wireless transmitter for sending an activation signal to awireless receiver at the central vacuum unit 12 for activating thecentral vacuum unit 12. However, in alternate embodiments the system mayuse a wired transmitter.

After the central vacuum unit 12 is activated, a vacuum is createdwithin the in-wall tubing 14, through the flexible hose 26 and tubing 34of the apparatus 20 connected thereto, and ultimately within the trough22 at the removal portal 28 such that the shoe cover is removed from theshoe of the user. The removed shoe covers are sucked through the removalportal 30, tubing 34, and flexible hose 26 of apparatus 20 into the wallinlet portal 16 and in-wall tubing 14 of the shoe cover vacuuming system10. The removed shoe covers then travel through the in-wall tubing 14 tothe collection container 11. Booster motors may also be provided withinthe in-wall tubing 14 for providing extra suction power.

In a preferred embodiment, the central vacuum unit 12 shuts off when auser removes the shoe from the trough 22. In alternate embodiments, thecentral vacuum unit 12 shuts off automatically after a pre-determinedperiod of time programmed in the control logic or when the flexible hose26 is disconnected from the wall inlet portal 16. In certainembodiments, the apparatus 20 also includes a manual override controlthat is capable of cutting power to the central vacuum unit 12.

In another embodiment, certain components of system 10, includingapparatus 20 for removing shoe covers, are connectable to an existingcentral vacuuming system of a building. In other words, the flexiblehose 26 of apparatus 20 for removing shoe covers may be configured forconnecting to wall inlet portals of an existing central vacuumingsystem. In this embodiment, the removed shoe covers travel through thewall inlet portal and the in-wall tubing due to the vacuum created bythe vacuum unit of the existing central vacuuming system. A collectioncontainer 11 is preferably provided that is connectable to the in-walltubing and central vacuum unit of the existing central vacuuming systemso that removed shoe covers may be collected in a separate collectioncontainer than the collection container of the existing centralvacuuming system.

In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 7, a secondary collectioncontainer 60 may be connected to the in-wall tubing 64 adjacent to thewall inlet portal 66 a through which an apparatus 20 is connected. Whilethe secondary collection container 60 is more often added to embodimentswherein the apparatus 20 is connected to an existing central vacuumingsystem, one or more secondary collection containers 60 may also beprovided in the shoe cover removal vacuuming system 10. A control valve62 may be provided in the in-wall tubing 64 so that the suction motor ofthe central vacuum unit may provide suction to the apparatus 20 butwhich will prevent the removed shoe covers from flowing back through thein-wall tubing 64 to the central vacuum unit. Thus, the central vacuumunit provides suction to the apparatus 20 to remove a shoe cover fromthe shoe of the user, but the control valve 62 allows the secondarycollection container 60 to collect the removed shoe covers instead ofthe collection container of the central vacuum unit. The control valve62 preferably operates to direct removed shoe covers to the secondarycollection container 60 based on the existence of apparatus 20 insertedinto the wall inlet portal 66 a. For example, when apparatus 20 isconnected to the wall inlet portal 66 a, the apparatus transmits awireless signal to the control valve 62. After receiving the wirelesssignal, the control valve recognizes that the in-wall tubing is beingfor transporting removed shoe covers and operates to direct the removedshoe covers to the secondary collection container 60. The secondarycollection container 60 may also be provided with its own suction motorto assist in collecting the removed shoe covers traveling through thewall inlet portal 66 a and control valve 62.

The secondary collection container 60 may also be provided within thein-wall tubing 14 of the central vacuuming system to collect removedshoe covers. In this embodiment, the secondary collection container 60fits within the in-wall tubing 14 and is porous, allowing for air toflow through the container 60 but prohibiting shoe covers from escapingthe container 60 after being sucked through the wall inlet portal 66 a.Preferably, the porosity of the secondary collection container 60 allowsother dust, particles, and smaller debris to continue through thein-wall tubing to the collection container of the central vacuum unit.Thus, the secondary collection container 60 would be able to remain inthe in-wall tubing even if a vacuum unit was used at the wall inletportal 66 a instead of the apparatus 20 for removing shoe covers. Inpreferred embodiments, the secondary collection container 60 is easilyremovable within the in-wall tubing so that the secondary collectioncontainer 60 may be removed when the apparatus 20 is not being used.

All of the connections between portals and hoses/tubing of the shoecover removal vacuuming system 10 provide flow communication between therespective connected units, portals, and/or system components. Theconnections are preferably substantially hermetically sealed so that theoperation of the system 10 is effective to suck shoe covers off of theshoe of a user and to prevent debris and contaminants from escaping thesystem 10. Gaskets are preferably used with all interconnections ofvarious portions of the system 10. Such gaskets are preferably made fromsynthetic rubber, synthetic rubber and flouropolymer elastomer (e.g.,Viton® from DuPont Performance Elastomers, LLC, of Wilmington, Del.),polysiloxane, or flouropolymers (e.g., Teflon® from E. I. du Pont deNemours and Company, of Wilmington, Del.).

The trough 22 is preferably made from polymers such as polyvinylchloride(PVC). The collection container 11 is preferably made from metal or ametal alloy (e.g., aluminum, steel, iron). The flexible hoses and tubingare preferably a flexible vacuum hose or flexible polyvinyl chloride PVCtubing, respectively. While the term “flexible hose” is generally usedwhen a flexible vacuum type hose is preferred and the term “tubing” isused when flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is preferably used, itshould be understood that the term “tube” and “hose” are generallysynonymous as either material may be used for the respective hose ortubing identified. However, in various embodiments of the invention,other suitable materials may be used for each of the system components.

The foregoing description of preferred embodiments for this inventionhas been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Theyare not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to theprecise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possiblein light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen anddescribed in an effort to provide the best illustrations of theprinciples of the invention and its practical application, and tothereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the inventionin various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited tothe particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variationsare within the scope of the invention as determined by the appendedclaims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they arefairly, legally, and equitably entitled.

1. A shoe cover removal vacuuming system for removing a shoe cover from a user's shoe, the system comprising: a shoe cover removal apparatus having a trough for receiving a user's shoe, the trough including a removal portal; and a central vacuuming system including: a central vacuum unit having a suction motor; a collection container disposed in a room remote from the shoe cover removal apparatus for collecting shoe covers removed by the shoe cover removal apparatus; and tubing for connecting the removal portal of the shoe cover removal apparatus to the central vacuum unit and the collection container.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the shoe cover removal apparatus includes an actuator for triggering a signal causing the central vacuum unit to activate, the activation of the vacuum unit being capable of causing a shoe cover to be removed from the shoe of a user when a user places a shoe covered by a shoe cover into the trough.
 3. The system of claim 2 wherein the shoe cover removal apparatus includes a transmitter for wirelessly sending the signal to the central vacuum unit.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the central vacuum unit includes a vacuum unit suction portal operably connected to the suction motor and the collection container includes a first suction portal and a second suction portal, the tubing including a first hose for connecting the vacuum unit suction portal to the first suction portal of the collection container, a second hose for connecting the second suction portal of the collection container to a wall inlet portal, and in wall tubing connecting the shoe cover removal apparatus to the wall inlet portal.
 5. The system of claim 4 wherein the collection container includes a first section having the first suction portal and a second section having the second suction portal, the division between the first section and second section being porous so that air is able to flow through the container while removed shoe covers are prevented from being sucked into the first section.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein the collection container is operable to be disposed adjacent the central vacuum unit.
 7. The system of claim 1 wherein the collection container and central vacuum unit are a single unit.
 8. A shoe cover removal vacuuming system for removing a shoe cover from a user's shoe, the system comprising: a plurality of shoe cover removal apparatuses each having a trough for receiving a user's shoe, each trough including a removal portal; and a central vacuuming system including: a central vacuum unit having a suction motor; a collection container disposed in a room remote from the plurality of shoe cover removal apparatuses for collecting shoe covers removed by the plurality of shoe cover removal apparatuses; and tubing for connecting the removal portals of the plurality of shoe cover removal apparatuses to the central vacuum unit and the collection container.
 9. The system of claim 8 wherein the plurality of shoe cover removal apparatuses each include an actuator for triggering a signal causing the central vacuum unit to activate, the activation of the vacuum unit being capable of causing a shoe cover to be removed from the shoe of a user when a user places a shoe covered by a shoe cover into one of the troughs.
 10. The system of claim 9 wherein the shoe cover removal apparatuses each include a transmitter for wirelessly sending the signal to the central vacuum unit.
 11. The system of claim 8 wherein the central vacuum unit includes a vacuum unit suction portal operably connected to the suction motor and the collection container includes a first suction portal and a second suction portal, the tubing including a first hose for connecting the vacuum unit suction portal to the first suction portal of the collection container, a second hose for connecting the second suction portal of the collection container to a wall inlet portal, and in wall tubing connecting the plurality of shoe cover removal apparatuses to the wall inlet portal.
 12. The system of claim 11 wherein the collection container includes a first section having the first suction portal and a second section having the second suction portal, the division between the first section and second section being porous so that air is able to flow through the container while removed shoe covers are prevented from being sucked into the first section.
 13. The system of claim 8 wherein the plurality of shoe cover removal apparatuses are operable to be disposed in a plurality of rooms of a building and the central vacuum unit is operable to be disposed in a central location of the building.
 14. The system of claim 13 wherein the collection container is operable to be disposed adjacent the central vacuum unit.
 15. The system of claim 13 wherein the collection container and central vacuum unit are a single unit.
 16. An apparatus for removing a shoe cover from a user's shoe, the apparatus comprising: a trough for receiving a user's shoe, the trough including a removal portal; a hose having a first end for connecting to a wall inlet portal of a central vacuuming system and a second end for connecting to the removal portal; and an actuator triggered by the placement of an object in the trough, the triggering of the actuator causing the central vacuuming system to activate, wherein the activation of the central vacuuming system is capable of causing a shoe cover to be removed from the shoe of a user when a user places a shoe covered by a shoe cover into the trough, whereby the shoe cover is sucked through the removal portal and the flexible hose into the wall inlet portal of the central vacuuming system.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the actuator further comprises a motion detection system including a motion detecting sensor, wherein power delivered to the apparatus from the central vacuuming system is controlled by the motion detection system.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the motion detection system includes a transmitter for sending a wireless signal to the central vacuuming system causing the central vacuuming system to activate.
 19. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising a manual override switch for cutting power to the apparatus.
 20. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a secondary collection container connected to in-wall tubing of the central vacuuming system, the collection container for collecting removed shoe covers and preventing removed shoe covers from being deposited in a main collection container of the central vacuuming system. 